Fair play Carapaz, made Fuglsang think he was done, then got on his wheel and beat him.
Thought it was fair play from Fuglsang to go so early and give him a chance, tbf - having sat on for the previous few km it was the only decent thing to do...
(Edit to add that I have no problem with sitting on as a tactic - the lad's trying to win a bike race)
Complete control from Carapaz. Fuglsang looked to be going really well until Carapaz went after him and he suddenly looked pedestrian in comparison.
Alaphillippe not looking himself at the moment, I know the bigger climbs aren't really his thing but he seems to lack a bit of a kick at the end. I would have bet on him winning the sprint for 3rd normally.
Scenery was a bit better today after my earlier comments but I think their nice wide roads make it less attractive than the equivalents in France or Italy.
It was quite amusing watching JV controlling the front and then as soon as Carapaz attacked both their riders got dropped (one just dropping off having done his turn only for Oomen to be the first casualty from the rest).
I only caught the final 7.5km and was surprised to see all the leaders left without support, I assume there was a bit of action on the last categorised climb?
He's won himself a 20 second time penalty and drops to 4th on GC. Fuglsang now second on GC, with Schachmann jumping the World champion, moving into third.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.
I think most people know Switzerland has Mountains to be honest...
How many cyclo-tourists would ride the Tourmalet but pass up the Cirque du Troumouse though, simply because the Tour has never showcased it? Or the Stelvio but not the Timmelsjoch?
I'm sure there are lots of fantastic climbs in the country (and indeed places like Austria and Slovenia too) that the average cyclist won't be familiar with because the races don't visit them often enough.
Just seems a bit silly to have a race in such a wonderfully mountainous country and have so few climbs on the route.
He's won himself a 20 second time penalty and drops to 4th on GC. Fuglsang now second on GC, with Schachmann jumping the World champion, moving into third.
Ok not too bad given he'd ignored the commissaire telling him not to go back... He must have been empty
Agreed, was a class above everyone else today. Tried to disguise his good legs and then timed his move to perfection. Let's hope he can hold this form through July.
Was it just me, or does Alaphilippe look like he just can't ride in a straight line even when not in a sprint? I started getting worried for everyone around him
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
The censored word was “b@stard”. Same vein as Valverde and Nibali. With riders like that around (in form) it puts more pressure on other contenders to show no vulnerability. Which in turn can mean that there’s nearly always a crux. That moment where they’ve either got it, or they haven’t…
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
So Alaphilippe has gone up the road with teammate Cattaneo, Nibali and Soler for company. Got 1'15" on the peloton, they'll be kept on a short leash
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
It's all gone a bit nuts. Nobody dangerous but that's a huge group. Think it's 38 riders
“Road racing was over and the UCI had banned my riding positions on the track, so it was like ‘Jings, crivvens, help ma Boab, what do I do now? I know, I’ll go away and be depressed for 10 years’.”
Posts
(Edit to add that I have no problem with sitting on as a tactic - the lad's trying to win a bike race)
RICK:
1st Carapaz, 2nd Birdsong, 3rd Woods.Just saw du moulin cruisin' in looking relaxed
Instagramme
Alaphillippe not looking himself at the moment, I know the bigger climbs aren't really his thing but he seems to lack a bit of a kick at the end. I would have bet on him winning the sprint for 3rd normally.
Scenery was a bit better today after my earlier comments but I think their nice wide roads make it less attractive than the equivalents in France or Italy.
I only caught the final 7.5km and was surprised to see all the leaders left without support, I assume there was a bit of action on the last categorised climb?
He's won himself a 20 second time penalty and drops to 4th on GC.
Fuglsang now second on GC, with Schachmann jumping the World champion, moving into third.
I'm sure there are lots of fantastic climbs in the country (and indeed places like Austria and Slovenia too) that the average cyclist won't be familiar with because the races don't visit them often enough.
Just seems a bit silly to have a race in such a wonderfully mountainous country and have so few climbs on the route.
Instagramme
Looked to be a sketchy corner surface just prior.
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Was it just me, or does Alaphilippe look like he just can't ride in a straight line even when not in a sprint? I started getting worried for everyone around him
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
I am not sure. You have no chance.
Also, why?
(Not because I disagree just interested)
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Everybody is doing it these days. He's like a MvDP tribute band.
@DrHeadgear
The Vikings are coming!
Womack will be pleased.
Breakaway gaining a lot of time now.